ROMANIA

Location - Eastern Europe; Capital - Bucharest; Population - 20 million; Currency - Romanian Leu

I returned to Romania from Moldova, taking the overnight train from Chisinau to Bucharest - April 2012. MORE ROMANIA

50 Lei (plural of Leu)

Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu's burial place is at Ghencea Civil Cemetery. Nicolae Ceaușescu was the brutal communist leader of Romania until his overthrow in a 1989 revolution. Nicolae and his wife Elena were executed on 25 December 1989 - Bucharest

The Palace of the Parliament - often called the People's House - was built in 1984 on the orders of Nicolae Ceaușescu - Bucharest

This hugely extravagant building cost over 3.3billion Euros and has 3,100 rooms covering 12 storeys - Bucharest

A theatre was originally constructed in the palace, though it was decided it wasn't needed - Bucharest

The Palace of the Parliament is awash with marble, silk curtains, hand woven carpets and chandaliers - Bucharest

This central room was the location of a meeting between Yasser Arafat and Shimon Peres - Bucharest

Ceaușescu intended this view of Bulevardul Unirii to be where he addressed his people, but he never lived to indulge the fantasy - Bucharest

Close by is the Ministry of Defence (no photos allowed) - Bucharest

On a hill just off Bulevardul Unirii is the 17th century Patricarchal Cathedral - Bucharest

It's a wonderful life: Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu are at the centre of this mosaic in the National Military Museum - Bucharest

There's lots of weaponry on show at the National Military Museum - Bucharest

Another ghost of the past is the building of the former Central Committee of the Communist Party, at Piata Revolutiei.
This was where Ceaușescu addressed a baying crowd on 21 December 1989 - Bucharest

Also on Piata Revolutiei is the former Securitate building (Communist secret police) which was destroyed by protestors in 1989 - Bucharest

The basement has been converted into a cafe decorated with photos of the revolution - Bucharest

Piata Revolutiei and the former Central Committee of the Communist Party building - Bucharest

The Romanian Athenaeum, a short walk from Piata Revolutiei, hosts concerts - Bucharest

Opposite the Athenaeum is Athenee Palace. Now a Hilton hotel, it was used by the Securitate during the Communist era - Bucharest

Carol I, King of Romania until 1914 - Bucharest

Have a walk down Calea Victoriei for a taste of Bucharest's historic centre

Pasajul Villacros is a covered arcade in the old town, packed with cafes and bars - Bucharest

Bessarabia refers to an historic region which loosely translates to the former Soviet republic of Moldova. The language of Moldova is Moldovan but it's virtually the same as Romanian - Bucharest

Put time aside for a wander around Strada Lipscani in the historic quarter - Bucharest

Lipscani and the pedestrian streets off it are full of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops - Bucharest

Watching the English FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Everton in Lipscani - Bucharest

It might not look like it but this area gets extremely busy in the evening - as long as it's not chucking down with rain, as it was a few minutes before this photo - Bucharest

A statue of Vlad Tepes, aka Vlad the Impaler and often referred to as Dracula, in the grounds of the Old Princely Court in the old town - Bucharest

When I visited Romania it was a bit of a washout; as a result noone sat for a drink in this very chic-looking outside bar - Bucharest

Manuc's Inn is a recently renovated historic hotel-restaurant complex - Bucharest

Cismigiu Lake is at the centre of a park of the same name - Bucharest

Colourful Easter rabbits on a very wet day in Cismigiu Garden - Bucharest

A sculpture at Piata Universitatii - Bucharest

There were various political banners and posters at Piata Universitatii, plus a Romanian-flag waver - Bucharest

A memorial to Mihai Gatlan and others who died in the protests of 21 December 1989 against Ceaușescu - Bucharest

The Europa Cup was on display at the Piata Universitatii subway. The 2012 Europa Cup Final was held in Bucharest between Atletico de Madrid and Athletic Bilbao - Bucharest

Herastrau Lake is one of a series of lakes in the north of the city - Bucharest

Herastrau Park - Bucharest

Romania has its very own Arch de Triomphe, the Arcul de Triumf - Bucharest

A quirky and colourful sculpture near Piata Victoriei - Bucharest

Constanta is a Black Sea resort a couple of hours from Bucharest

Lake Mamaia is in the northern part of Constanta, separated from the Black Sea by about 50-100 metres

Take a boat on Lake Mamaia - Constanta

3 and 4D are so yesterday. Length, breadth, height, time, erm.. Constanta

A cable car plies the coastal resort at Mamaia in northern Constanta

The Black Sea summer resorts get busy from June onwards. It was a ghost town in Mamaia in April - Constanta

A short distance south of the resort of Mamaia is Constanta

The tourist marina is a hotch-potch of boats, half-finished buildings and a couple of restaurants - Constanta

But the bar-restaurants are perfect for a sunny day - Constanta

The waterfront casino looks as though it's seen better days - Constanta

This photo was the product of my fruitless search by public transport for the tomb of Vlad Tepes, which is said to lie in a monastery on an island in Snagov Lake. I managed to get to the town of Snagov from where I thought the island was a walk away. But no it's a couple more bus rides away; or just one bus ride from Bucharest if you take the right one..
I was also thwarted in my attempt to visit the real Dracula castle at Poenari, after a mixture of incessant rain, bus connections and a mighty hangover prevented me getting there and back in a day.

Peles Castle has a gorgeous setting below the Bucegi Mountains - Sinaia

Peles Castle was the summer residence of King Carol I - Sinaia

The castle dates to the 19th century, though it was only completed in 1914 - Sinaia

Peles Castle - Sinaia

King Carol I stands near the entrance to Peles Castle - Sinaia

The grounds of Peles Castle - Sinaia

The castle was closed when I went but it's setting is worth the trip alone - Sinaia

100 metres or so from Peles Castle is Pelisor Palace - Sinaia

Pelisor Palace was also built by King Carol I to house nephew Ferdinand and his wife - Sinaia

Sianaia Monastery is close to the town centre, up a series of steps - Sinaia

The attractive park in the centre of Sinaia is popular with families

There's a casino on the edge of the park - Sinaia

Website and content Copyright © 2008-2012 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.

LINKS

www.autogari.ro - Search for bus timetables

www.cfrcalatori.ro - Romanian train timetables; buy tickets

www.romaniatourism.com - Official website of the Romanian Tourist Board

http://romaniaandmoldova.com

Wasteels - Contact these guys for international train tickets from Romania

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